This Saturday, April 27, the Grand River Area Family YMCA in partnership with the Livingston County Health Center is celebrating YMCA’s Healthy Kids Day with a free community event that encourages kids in area to get moving and learning, and families living healthier.

Healthy Kids Day, the Y’s national initiative to improve families’ health and well-being, takes place at 1,900 Ys and kick-starts healthier behaviors now and throughout the summer, a critical out-of-school time for children’s health.

Many U.S. children do not get the daily recommended hours of physical activity and reading, and daily amounts of healthy foods. According to the latest findings of the YMCA’s Family Health Snapshot – a survey of parents that gauges their children’s activity levels during the school year – only 19 percent of children get 60 minutes of physical activity, only 17 percent read books for fun, and only 12 percent eat at least eight fruits and vegetables daily.

“At the Y, we know parents struggle to keep their kids physically and intellectually active every day. We want to help ensure fewer kids are at risk of childhood obesity and more kids excel in school,” said Matthew Jones, associate executive director of the Grand River Y. “YMCA’s Healthy Kids Day will get kids moving and learning while also helping families get a jump on creating a healthier summer, and ultimately a healthier future.”

Research shows that without access to out-of-school physical and learning activities, kids fall behind academically and gain weight twice as fast during summer than the school year. On April 27, the YMCA’s Healthy Kids Day will help parents begin thinking early about what their kids need to grow and achieve all summer long.

The Y’s Healthy Kids Day takes place at 1725 Locust Street from 9 a.m. until noon, and features fun, active play and educational activities for kids ages 3-10.

For more information, contact the Grand River Area Family YMCA at 660-646-6677.